Placed 2nd in Class at the 2022 Xoloitzcuintli National Specialty

Placed 2nd in Class at the 2022 Jefferson County Kennel Club Show (MO)

15 UKC Points and 1 UKC Competition Win

Placed Best of Breed at 2023 Nango Circuit winning 1 AKC CH point

Kipo was not necesarilly a planned addition, but a very welcome one. In 2021 I was preparing to bring home a puppy from my friend, Amber Oertle, out of her bitch, Neva. However, the breeding did not take. This left me with a puppy-shaped hole in my plans. In late fall of 2021, a breeder I had actually been following for chihuahuas shared a photo of her miniature/toy xolo litter. Three females and one male. I was curious, so I reached out asking if the male was available, and if she had any interest in placing him in a show and performance home. The answer was a resounding yes. We arranged to meet so I could have a look at the pup, and of course "just looking" turned into putting a deposit down, and a few weeks later I brought Kipo home. 

Kipo is something special. He is wire-coated, which naturally occurs in the breed but is undesirable in the show ring. He hand strips nicely, though. We entered our first BPUP show (in fact my very first time ever entering a dog show), and Kipo took 3rd in group. Then we entered a UKC show (my second time entering a show) alongside one of his relatives. Kipo took Best of Breed and 2nd in Group. At his third show, the 2022 Xolo National Specialty, Kipo placed 2nd in his Class (Miniature Males), then the next day placed 2nd over the dog who took 1st the previous day (a standard male taking 1st.) At every show we were approached by fellow exhibitors, xolo breeders, and even judges who wanted to remark on how lovely Kipo is, and we agree! A lot of Xolos struggle with straight fronts, and many smaller xolos lack the substance the breed should have, and tend towards narrow, snipey skulls. Kipo does not have this problem- he has an excellent front end, a good rear end, and a wonderful headpiece. These qualities make him a very, very exciting prospect going forward.

Beyond his wonderful structure, Kipo is just a very pleasant dog, and a great example of a Xoloitzcuintli. Though more aloof than my two girls, he is always willing to greet friendly people and welcome a head scratch or two, before returning to my side. He is my snuggler, and always sleeps tucked against my chest to chase nightmares away. You couldn't ask for a better hiking partner- he's quick to alert to anyone passing by, but is quiet and observant. Eager to please, he has shown an excellent aptitude for rally, obedience, and scent-work. Not keen on contact obstacles in agility, but we are going to try pursuing the Jumpers with Weaves class.

Kipo will be fully health tested by the winter of 2023, and we are currently planning for him to sire a litter in 2024 (by Vidxium.)